Chapter 3

Chunhe returned before I went to bed.

She leaned close to my ear. “My lady, Concubine Zhang is the niece of his lordship’s kinswoman in Jiangzhou. He stayed with that lady for a time when he was young. That was when their attachment began.

“But Miss Zhang’s standing was rather too low. After he returned to the capital, he never mentioned her again.

“When he went to the funeral recently, she had just been widowed and was staying with her own family. One thing led to another, and their old feelings were rekindled.”

At the end, Chunhe could not help muttering, “His lordship really is… bringing even a widow into the house. Honestly…”

“He has less and less regard for propriety,” I finished, my face icy.

Chunhe lowered her head and dared say no more.

“Where are the children?” I asked at last.

“The young master came after his lessons, but you weren’t allowing anyone in. We told him to go back. The young miss came looking for you this afternoon too. We had her nurse take her to play. She played all afternoon, ate after she went back, and fell asleep.” Chunhe spoke quietly.

“Very well. All of you may go. I need to think. Think carefully…” I waved them away.

I stood at the window all that night.

*

The next day, Shao Chen and Shao Yuan came to pay their respects.

Only then did a little warmth enter my bloodshot eyes.

“Mother, are you feeling any better?” Chen bowed respectfully before asking.

The servants had told him yesterday that I had a headache from overwork. That was why the question came so urgently the moment he saw me.

“Mother, Mother, let Yuan rub your head.” Four-year-old Yuan came over too, burrowing straight into my arms.

My smile deepened. “I’m all right, perfectly well. I was just sleepy yesterday and went to bed early. Chen, have you finished yesterday’s lessons? And Yuan, have you been naughty?”

The two children nestled beside me, chattering in clear, bright voices, as affectionate as could be.

That was when Jing’an came in with Zhang Yilian.

He seemed to pause at the sight.

The children happily rushed to him. He picked one up in each arm and asked how they had been.

Zhang Yilian was left to one side.

Something flickered in my eyes, but I only smiled and said nothing.

She was patient, though, standing quietly with a smile as she watched the three of them.

Eventually Jing’an put down the children, took a chair to one side, and cleared his throat. “Yilian, serve tea to my wife.”

Only then did she take a teacup from a maid and sink into a graceful bow.

I had swallowed my anger yesterday. Why would I make difficulties for her here?

I accepted the tea calmly, pretended to take a sip, and offered a few words of warning. That settled it.

Jing’an had said nothing throughout. Now he rose and brushed his sleeves. “I’ll be going, then.”

The two of us saw him out of the main courtyard together.

Turning back, I said coolly, “Go and rest, Concubine Zhang. I won’t keep you any longer.”

She hesitated, then withdrew with measured grace.

The moment she left, Chen and Yuan gathered around me.

“Mother, who is she?” Yuan asked, puzzled.

Chen, already old enough to study and understand a little of the world, looked grave. “She’s Father’s new concubine. Yuan, stay away from her.”

Yuan blinked, uncomprehending. “Why, Brother?”

“Because she’s ugly,” he said seriously. “If you spend too long with her, you’ll turn ugly too.”

“But I think she’s quite pretty,” Yuan said brightly.

“Prettier than Mother?” Chen rolled his eyes.

Yuan shook her head. “Of course not. Mother’s the prettiest.”

“There you are, then.”

Yuan thought her brother made excellent sense and nodded emphatically.

Watching them, I shook my head in amusement. Warmth filled my heart.